Variation in the territorial song of the field sparrow

Abstract:

The territorial song of the Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla, was studied to determine if variations occur. Tape recordings were graphed by the use of a frequency to voltage converter and a pen recorder. Graphs were analyzed according to length of song, number of notes, length of second and last notes, frequency change, type of slurring, frequency range of song, and number of song patterns.The Field Sparrow was found to have a simple song, characterized by introductory notes followed by a trill. The song is of short duration, mean length was 2.7671 seconds, and the frequency range was between 3,000-5,500 Hz.Little variation was found to occur. Successive songs given by an individual indicated some variation. However, the nature of this variation was principally in number of notes and length of successive songs. All except two individuals were found to possess only one song pattern. Comparison of song patterns from one individual to another revealed considerable similarity. A cline in voice variation in the Field Sparrow is not indicated by the limited data available to this present study.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306